Everton believe they can hang on to Leighton Baines in January – with Southampton's Luke Shaw now Manchester United's No.1 target for a new left-back, writes for Dave Kidd in the Sunday People.

Old Trafford boss David Moyes failed in two summer bids for his former Toffees star, but he has now switched his attention to England Under-21 cap Shaw and is deperate to beat Chelsea in the race to sign him.

United and Chelsea are both prepared to pay big money for the 18-year-old after his impressive Premier League form for the Saints this term.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho sees him as the ideal replacement for Ashley Cole.

But Shaw will not leave St Mary's until summer at the earliest.

So unless United are convinced that he is bound for Chelsea – the club he supported as a boy – Moyes will keep his powder dry for the summer, when current United left-back Patrice Evra is likely to return to France.

Baines is 29 and United are reluctant to match Everton's asking price of £18million for a player who would have little re-sale value.

The Toffees want to tie the England star to an improved long-term deal and, with Everton looking like genuine Champions League contenders, they are increasingly confident of keeping Baines out of United's clutches.